Loader Easy removal?

[JB Farm]

Hi all, lurker turned member here.

I am looking at buying an L5740HSTC. I am wondering about the loader on them and how easy they are to remove and put back on. The local dealer does not have any loaders on the bigger CUTS so I cant see one, but he said it is a fast process.. I am very familiar with the JD's and how quick they are to go on and off but never messed with a Kubota. I only want the loader on when I need it so it will be on and off a fair amount. Is it quick and easy? As easy as the Deere? It looks like there is some kind of stand that has to be pulled out, correct? That would definitely not be as convenient as the Deere.

Thanks

 

[beppington]

It is very quick & easy. Once you've done it once or twice, you can do it in prob 2 or 3 minutes, with no tools & without breaking a sweat, getting on the ground, anything like that.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I'm not familiar with the loader on that particular model, but I am with the loader on my B3200 as well as our M9540.

If I make every step count I can take the loader off my B3200 in under a minute. About a minute and a half on the M9540. Putting it back on takes just a little longer as I like to clean the fittings off, etc when I reconnect everything. As long as you park on a nice level spot they are very easy to get on and off. Much easier than an implement on the 3pt hitch in fact.

 

[keving]

I agree with the others. Level ground is VERY important...

 

[timswi]

I'm not familiar with the loader on that particular model, but I am with the loader on my B3200 as well as our M9540.

If I make every step count I can take the loader off my B3200 in under a minute. About a minute and a half on the M9540. Putting it back on takes just a little longer as I like to clean the fittings off, etc when I reconnect everything. As long as you park on a nice level spot they are very easy to get on and off. Much easier than an implement on the 3pt hitch in fact.

Yes the loader is much easier than the 3PTH...No fight at all. Minutes to R&R without even thinking about it. I don't have the same model, but I'll bet their even easier now than what is on my '04 BX.

 

[crazyal]

I have the 4240 open station with the same loader. I now can do it in about a minute and only need to get off the tractor twice, once to drop the legs down to support it and a second time to disconnect the hydraulic lines. I can actually pull the pins once I get the weight off them without getting off the tractor (may not be able to do that from a cabbed tractor though). But like others have said level ground hard enough so the feet don't sink in or some plywood/ board under them and it's real easy. You just need to remember to unload any pressure on the QCs by moving the fel lever all around with the engine off.

 

[TripleR]

We have a BX2660, L5030 HSTC and M8540 HDC. I don't have any experience with the John Deere, so I don't know if the Kubota is easier, but as others have said Kubota loaders are very easy. I think nothing of dropping a loader on any of these tractors.

 

[kco]

I remove the loader from my DK35 each week when mowing the lawn or trails. As others mentioned, it is easier than mounting the mowers on the 3 point hitch.

I have a level gravelled area where I dismount the loader. However, I often find that one of the two main pivot pins does not line up perfectly when I remount the loader. If that happens I install the main pin that is properly aligned. Then I use a 2x4 lever to slightly raise the already-pinned side of the bucket, which moves the not-pinned side down into the support. I use a rock under the 2x4 lever to keep it in place so I can install the 2nd main pin.

 

[RobertN]

Totally agree. Having the loader level is the difference between a couple minute removal or installation, and much longer...

My previous Kubota, had an aftermarket loader that took longer to remove/instal, but was still pretty easy. My current New Holland is a 2 minute removal/instal. On a level surface...

Level Surface =
Not Level Surface =

I agree with the others. Level ground is VERY important...

 

[JB Farm]

Thanks for the replies, that was all good info to hear. I didn't want it to be an issue and a deal breaker. I am looking at the Deere 4520/4720 along with the 5740. As far as the loaders go, the Kubota looks built better, heavier, looks as though they have a strut that goes to the back axle. Do most agree it is a tougher loader? It sure is hard to decide between these two tractors.

Thanks again.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the replies, that was all good info to hear. I didn't want it to be an issue and a deal breaker. I am looking at the Deere 4520/4720 along with the 5740. As far as the loaders go, the Kubota looks built better, heavier, looks as though they have a strut that goes to the back axle. Do most agree it is a tougher loader? It sure is hard to decide between these two tractors.

Thanks again.

I can't comment on the John Deere loader as I really don't know anything about them. I do know the Kubota is a very rugged loader, I use mine moving loading all sorts of stuff including 6' rock which is really hard to do. I don't know your needs, but I really like the HD bucket.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The built in loader stand on the JD is nice when you are taking the loader off, but it gets in the way for storage. If I take my Kubota loader off in my garage, I can park the tractor right back under it, and lose very little space. The JD arrangement also gets in the way of any front mounted implement, or even weights, etc. You have to take all that stuff off before you can mount the loader. The other thing that I've heard mechanics complain about is that the loader receiver parts (that remain on the tractor when the loader is removed) form a loose connection with the loader after time. I like some things about the JD loader, and I do like their pin arrangement for the quick attach bucket, etc. but overall I have found it very little work to drop, and pin the two "legs" that support the loader when it is off the tractor in exchange for the rugged, and well designed loader. I spent the extra $200+ for Kubota's bucket QA, and still like the JD set up better, but I'm not trading my loader to get it. I have the small B series tractors, but I think the larger ones work pretty much the same way. The other thing I have noticed is that Kubota's loaders seem to be better matched size wise than the smaller JD ones. The 2305 for example can have a 61" bucket, but has the reputation of being pretty tippy with a loader installed. If you look at one, you can see how much wider than the tractor the loader is, and that is where that reputation comes from. Actually, the 2305 is wider, and somewhat heavier than Kubota's BX series, and would probably be the more stable of the two if the JD loader fit closer to the tractor.

Don't get me wrong, I like most JD tractors very much, and woudn't hesitate to own one, there are just some things I like better on both brands.

 

[The dirt doctor]

The only problem I have with reinstalling the loader on my bx is getting the hydraulic lines back on sometimes. I'm finding that the sun expands the oil in the lines on the loader frame which builds pressure. I wish they had a small relief valve. I have the same problem with our skid loader auxiliary hydraulics. As for bucket attachment, I like the ati skid loader style quick coupler. We have this setup for our l4630 and it proves to be very reliable and allows us to interchange attachments between our skid loader and our tractor

 

[Redneck in training]

It is true the loader is easy to get off the tractor but I found little need to do so. I just take the bucket off and leave the loader on the tractor.

 

[Grandad4]

The only problem I have with reinstalling the loader on my bx is getting the hydraulic lines back on sometimes. I'm finding that the sun expands the oil in the lines on the loader frame which builds pressure. I wish they had a small relief valve. I have the same problem with our skid loader auxiliary hydraulics. As for bucket attachment, I like the ati skid loader style quick coupler. We have this setup for our l4630 and it proves to be very reliable and allows us to interchange attachments between our skid loader and our tractor

Yup, the hyd fluid expands with heat and re-pressurizes the FEL lines. It helps if you can park the FEL in the shade or inside. Also, it helps to make sure the bucket is parked flat to the ground, not tilted at an angle so gravity adds a bit of pressure as the loader sits.

The easiest way I've found to relieve pressure on the quick connects is to place the male end of a 3/8" or 1/2" socket extension against the connector nipple and tap with a hammer, etc., on the other end. It will momentarily open the connector enough to let some fluid out. Messy but quick and easy. Keep the paper towels handy!

 

[rScotty]

Thanks for the replies, that was all good info to hear. I didn't want it to be an issue and a deal breaker. I am looking at the Deere 4520/4720 along with the 5740. As far as the loaders go, the Kubota looks built better, heavier, looks as though they have a strut that goes to the back axle. Do most agree it is a tougher loader? It sure is hard to decide between these two tractors.
Thanks again.

It about broke my heart when I went to buy a midsize chore tractor and found that Kubotas were capable of competing with my beloved JDs for rugged sensible construction. In some models the Kubota is clearly more heavily built! Of course the JD loader is excellent. No problems there, and green is my favorite color. If going JD I'd get the QA made for skidsteer attachments instead of JD only. But it turns out that I'm a loader kinda guy, and the Kubota geometry just seems to work better for me. I get a better feel for the position of the bucket with their geometry. The controls are very smooth, and the QA works good. The M59 is a TLB, so the loader is permanent. I just drop the bucket instead of the whole loader. That's easily done. Now that I've gotten used to doing that I prefer it instead of dropping the whole loader like on the other tractors.
rScotty